Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra Released from Prison
Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand’s former Prime Minister, was released from a Bangkok prison after serving eight months of a one-year sentence for a corruption-related charge. A crowd of approximately 300 supporters and political allies gathered outside Klong Prem Central Prison to welcome the 76-year-old.
Thaksin, a telecommunications magnate and founder of a political party in 1998, served as Thailand’s Prime Minister from 2001 until he was ousted by a military coup in 2006. This event marked the beginning of nearly two decades of political division in the country. Despite staying in exile to avoid legal charges, his political influence persisted.
His family, including his daughter and former Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, greeted him upon his release. Thaksin, dressed in a white polo shirt and blue pants, was embraced by his family and supporters who offered red roses and chanted, “we love Thaksin.” He left without speaking to reporters.
Thaksin later reached his residence in western Bangkok, where he briefly interacted with a small group of supporters and mentioned to reporters, “I was in hibernation, I can’t remember anything now.”
As Thailand’s first elected Prime Minister to complete a four-year term, Thaksin implemented policies like a national healthcare scheme and infrastructure projects, garnering support from rural communities. However, his policies and leadership style led to a divide with urban elites, royalists, and the military.
He faced charges of abuse of power, including allegations of benefiting his business interests and approving a state lottery project that resulted in financial losses for the government. Convicted in absentia, Thaksin returned to Thailand in 2023 as his political party, Pheu Thai, formed a government. Initially sentenced to eight years, his prison term was reduced to one year by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, with permission granted to serve his sentence at the Police Hospital for medical reasons.
Following public criticism of preferential treatment, the Supreme Court mandated Thaksin serve his sentence in prison in September 2025. A Justice Ministry panel recently granted him parole, citing his good behavior, age, and low risk of reoffending.
During his four-month probation, Thaksin is required to stay at his Bangkok residence, wear an electronic monitoring device, and report to probation officials.
Thaksin’s daughter, Paetongtarn, became Thailand’s youngest Prime Minister in 2024 but was dismissed by the Constitutional Court in 2025 following a controversial phone call recording. The Pheu Thai party finished third in the most recent general election.
